The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02
editorial Briets.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.

1
for using the terms Orthodoxy" "evan-
gelical,' ETC., in the accepted rather than
In the genealogical meaning. Are not
we orthodox and evangelical? Yes; un-
derstanding the words literally. But 10
one would understand us to use the words
in this sense unless we explained each
time. We prefer to be understood. We
write for those who get their meaning Of
words from current usage and from the
dictionary II our friend will look care
fully he will find that a considerable per-
centage Of the terms we use are obnox-
ious to the same criticism. Mr.. Blaine
claims to be democrat in the etymo-
logical meaning of the word; but he does
not covet the political designation. The
badge "orthodox" has been the sign and
| protest of SO much error and evil that we
are quite content not to wear it.
The Taftonion deplores the lack Of
appreciation of the gymnasium on the
part of the students. "Once, all the stu
dents clamored for this means Of physical
| CUAehAO, hOW AOoS buhD OH6 Sl4bu UI CQG IN
take regular exercise there" Our in
quiries concerning the use of the gymnc-
siunr in several colleges lead to the cor
clusion that the students of Tufts are not
an exception to a general rule. In Que
large institution, with fully equipped
and costly gymnasium, we were told that
the only exercise in which the students
showed even languid interest, was the
military drill. Baseball, football, and
rowing call, for some use of the gymna-
SUM as preparation for the few who are
to amuse the populace. But those who
most need the physical culture the GYM
nasium is intended to supply-the great
body of the students, do not, for some
reason, avail themselves of the benefit.
Maurice Thompson overstates the
fact when he says: "Snobbery is kept
alive and fat all over the world because
1t is safer to be snob than TO be sincere
and independent man." This is one Of
those exaggerations, however, which may
be pardoned on the same ground that We
forgive the extravagances of the reform
orator. II precise statement of the ex-
act truth had been made, the truth itself
would not have been seen. Wendell
Phillips avowed that he overstated the
facts deliberately. 1t was the only way
to draw attention to them.r.A calm, judi
Z oial ststsment would never stir asssshs
nor fire the heart
AS matter of fact, it is not safer, in
free society, to be snob than to be
sincere and independent man. 1t is only
safer for snobs; and snobs are persons
who think it is safer to toady than to be
sincere. OF course sincere and indepen-
dent men have to take the responsibility
of their sincerity and independence. If
they are unwise, ignorant, conceited,
coarse, they will get an unsavory reputa-
tion If they are in earnest in any i'm
portant matter they will be abused and
hated by some. But if they are right and
really wise, they will win increasing
honor and gratitude for their courage snd
frankness. And these good things are
worth the trial they cost.
Sir W. Thompson has been making
some calculations based on the theory OF
Helmholtz, that the SUMS heat is kept up
by the motion generated by its gradual
contraction. Supposing this theory to be
true, Sir w. Thompson estimates that the
sun will not exhaust its store so as to in
terfere with life on this planet for about
six millions of years. On the validity Of
the same theory he calculates that the
sun can not now be over twenty millions
OF years old. II the sun is such young
ster it follows that the earth is an infant.
But then Helmholtz may not be in pos
session OF the latest and revised returns.
1t is a curious circumstance that
there should be two sets of martyrs in
the Universalist church at the present
time. One set consists of the conservat-
i've brethren, who hold fast by the ancient
ways and the accepted traditions of the
denomination, and who in doing so feel
that they bear the brunt of unfavor-
able criticism, are misunderstood, de-
nounced as obstructionists, fossils and all
that. They are living sacrifice to the
good name and continued Christian in
fluence of the church. The other group
consists of the radical brethren, who lean
rather further forward than their stand-
ing place, who exploit new theories and
schemes, and who in departing from the
usages or beliefs of the fathers feel that
they are mourning certain odium and
taking the risk of an insecure position in
the denomination.
One who is SO situated as to listen to
the private tale of each of these parties is
struck with the common fact that both
are bearing a cross. The conservative
brethren are sure that they have placed
themselves in the imminent and deadly
breach; that while the welfare Of the
cause depends on their steadiness and
courage, the position they occupy is an
unenviable one, because it is never popu-
lar to oppose progress" But the radi-
cal brethren are even more certain that
they are standing up for liberty and adj
vance against great odds, because it is
never popular to innOvate. In point of
fact, sympathy, appreciation and applause